Pittsburgh Muslims Reach Out To The Jewish Community: 'Whatever You Need, We'll Be There'

Samina Mohamedali, left, and her husband Kutub Ganiwalla, members of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, both of North Hills, prepare to place flowers on a memorial in front of the Tree of Life Congregation, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

The Muslim community of Pittsburgh has reached out to the Jewish community with a single message: "We just want to know what you need [and] we'll be there."

It comes in the wake of a horrific anti-Semitic mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, which left 11 worshippers dead.

The leader of the Islamic Centre of Pittsburgh Wasi Mohamed announced that his community had raised more than US $70,000 ($99,000) for the synagogue, but promised that whatever the Jewish community needed, the Muslim community would be ready.

Wasi Mohamed speaks to the audience at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall during a service to honour and mourn the victims of Saturday's mass shooting at the Tree Of Life Synagogue. Photo: Getty.

"If it's more money let us know," he told reporters on Sunday.

"If it's people outside your next service protecting you, let us know. We'll be there.

"If you need organisers on the ground, we'll provide them. If you need anything at all -- if you need food for the families, if you just need somebody to come to the grocery store because you don't feel safe in this city, we'll be there. We're here for the community."

He said it was a repayment of the same offer made by Pittsburgh residents to his community in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks and the 2016 presidential election.

Wasi Mohamed is hugged by a rabbi after speaking to the audience. Photo: Getty.

A separate fundraiser, by Iranian immigrant Shay Khatiri, has raised more than US $700,000 ($992,000) for the Tree of Life victims.

Khatiri told CNN that he'd woken up on the couch of a Jewish friend to the devastating news.

As a graduate student, he knew he wouldn't be able to donate much, but thought if he started a GoFundMe that more money could be raised.

Within 24 hours, he'd raised almost US $300,000, and now the fundraiser is on track to reach US $1 million.

"Everyone talks about how divided we are. But in such a tragic moment, Americans are always powerful and indivisible in trauma," he told CNN.

"Every time something happens, I am reminded of how great this country is."

Contact the author: abrucesmith@networkten.com.au

Lead photo :Samina Mohamedali, and her husband Kutub Ganiwalla, members of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, both of North Hills, prepare to place flowers on a memorial in front of the Tree of Life Congregation. Photo: AP